Bushra Griffith
American cheese is a processed cheese with a distinct, mild flavour and a smooth, creamy texture. It is a popular topping for burgers and is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, giving them a gooey, melty texture. While American cheese is a classic, it is not the healthiest option due to its high content of preservatives, sodium, and fat. If you're looking for a natural cheese with a similar taste and texture to American cheese, there are several options to consider. These include Muenster, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Swiss cheese. For those who want a healthier alternative, Swiss cheese is a good option, as it has a mild flavour and firm texture. If you're looking for a cheese that melts well, Havarti and Fontina are great substitutes, and if you want to add a little sharpness to your grilled cheese, Provolone is a good option. For a classic, comforting taste, Organic Valley's American cheese slices offer a similar texture and taste to cheddar without the sharpness of the aging process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Mild, creamy, tangy, sharp |
| Texture | Smooth, melts well, gooey, rubbery, plasticky, sticky, shiny, soft, thick, grainy, creamy, mouth-coating |
| Color | White, yellow, orange |
| Type | Natural, processed |
| Forms | Slices, blocks |
| Ingredients | Milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, water, milk fat, sodium citrate, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, oleoresin paprika, annatto, organic butter, vegetarian enzymes |
| Brands | Kraft, Trader Joe's, Clover Valley, Happy Farms, Great Value, Cabot, Borden, Organic Valley, Applegate Organics, Boar's Head, Horizon Organic, Deli Deluxe, Land O'Lakes, Cheese Whiz, Velveeta, Monterey Jack, Provolone, Swiss, Colby, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Muenster, Fontina, Havarti, Parmesan, Romano |
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What You'll Learn
Organic Valley American Cheese
American cheese is a creamy, smooth cheese made from blending natural cheeses. It is also known for melting well. Organic Valley American Cheese is a popular variety of American cheese that is crafted with pasture-raised organic dairy from small organic family farms. It is made with milk from organic pasture-raised cows and contains no antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, or GMOs. The cheese is certified USDA organic and has only seven ingredients, all of which are organic and vegetarian-friendly. These ingredients include organic cultured milk, water, organic butter, sodium citrate, salt, organic annatto (for colour), and vegetarian enzymes.
When it comes to natural cheese that tastes similar to American cheese, mild cheddar cheese is often mentioned as having a comparable flavour. Colby cheese is another variety that is similar in taste to American cheese, but with a softer texture and less tangy flavour. These natural cheeses may be worth considering for those who want a cheese that tastes like American cheese but with a more "real" cheese texture and flavour.
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For those seeking a more mature taste or a healthier option, other varieties of cheese may be preferable. For instance, Organic Valley's American Cheese slices are said to taste more like "real" cheese, with a flavour and texture akin to mild cheddar. Applegate Organics American Cheese is another option, offering a rich and creamy taste with sharp cheesy notes.
If you are seeking a substitute for American cheese, there are several options available. For a healthier alternative, Swiss cheese has a mild flavour and firm texture, characterised by its signature holes. Provolone is another option with a similar texture, taste, and appearance to white American cheese. It has a mild flavour, making it suitable for sandwiches, casseroles, and pizzas. If you are looking for a substitute specifically for grilled cheese sandwiches, Velveeta, Mueller, and Monterey Jack are excellent choices as they melt in a similar way to American cheese.
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Swiss Cheese
The flavour of Swiss cheese is nutty and sweet, with a hint of tanginess. The alpine grasses and herbs eaten by the cows give the cheese its aromas of sweet cream and hazelnuts. The texture of Swiss cheese can vary from dense and fudgy, to crumbly or smooth and slightly tangy.
There are many different types of Swiss cheese, each with its own unique characteristics. One of the most famous Swiss cheeses is Le Gruyère, which has been produced since the early 12th century. It is made from a mixture of skimmed evening milk and full-fat morning milk. Tête de Moine is another excellent choice for a cheese board, with bold flavours and a great texture for cooking. Sbrinz, one of Europe's oldest cheeses, is made from raw Swiss Brown cow's milk and has a dense, fudgy texture with a full-bodied and spicy flavour.
Baby Swiss and Lacy Swiss are two varieties of American Swiss cheeses. They both have small holes and a mild flavour. Baby Swiss is made from whole milk, while Lacy Swiss is made from low-fat milk.
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Muenster Cheese
When served as an appetiser or part of a cheeseboard, Muenster cheese pairs well with beer, especially a Pilsner. For wine lovers, it complements light red wines like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel, as well as white wines such as Riesling. Its slightly salty nature also makes it a good addition to sandwiches, pairing well with ham or turkey and salad.
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Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack, sometimes shortened to Jack, is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavour and is known for its good melting quality. It originated in Monterey, California, and is said to have been first sold by a businessman named David Jack in the 1800s.
Monterey Jack is commonly used in Mexican-American cuisine, such as quesadillas, burritos, and enchiladas. It is also a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and can be used on cheeseburgers or in pasta dishes. The cheese is often shredded or melted, and it mixes well with other cheeses.
One of the unique characteristics of Monterey Jack is its low content of tyramine, an organic compound associated with headaches. For this reason, it is often recommended as a safe cheese option for people who suffer from migraines.
There are several varieties of Monterey Jack, including Dry Jack, which is a harder cheese aged for up to 24 months, and Pepper Jack, which is flavoured with spicy chili peppers, bell peppers, and herbs. Colby Jack and Cheddar Jack are also derivatives of Monterey Jack, created by marbling it with Colby or Cheddar cheese, respectively. These variations offer different flavours and textures, such as added nuttiness and a rich orange hue.
Monterey Jack is a versatile and mild-flavoured cheese that is widely used in various dishes, especially those that require melting. Its ability to blend well with other cheeses makes it a popular base for creating new cheese varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
Muenster, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Gouda are all good alternatives to American cheese. They all melt well and have a mild taste.
White Cheddar, Provolone, Swiss cheese, and Havarti are also substitutes for American cheese.
Muenster, Monterey Jack, Havarti, and Provolone are good substitutes for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Muenster, Monterey Jack, and Havarti are good melting cheeses for sauces.
